Fulgurite

Fulgurite (from Latin fulgur, " flash "), even flash glass, flash interactivity, flash tubes, are caused by lightning strikes in the rock tubes. By the formation of the impact temperatures up to 30,000 ° C and the walls of the glazing by melting of the rock. The tubes measured approximately 2 cm in cross section and are often several meters in length. Often the branch ends. Under the scheme established by lightning rocks sand and Felsfulgurite be distinguished. Fulgurites in relatively rare minerals and chemical compounds have been found, such as the mineral Lechatelierite that was otherwise found only in Tektiten and Impaktgläsern. Was the sand mixed with organic materials, fullerenes may arise that would otherwise occur very rarely in nature.

Demarcation

As you Pseudofulgurite sometimes referred to similar-looking tube- like structure, but to other causes decline (eg bioturbate tracks such as tombs of marine crustaceans ). These structures are called Bioturbaturen. Sometimes tubular sintering and erosion to be confused with fulgurites, eg the so-called " flash tubes " of Battenberg.

Under the name Fulgurit are in the construction industry and building materials such as roof tiles, marketed. Asbestos building materials are no longer being manufactured under the brand name.

History

In 1817, shape and mineralogical and physical properties of flash tubes were described in detail. Their formation by lightning was considered after discussion of other possible causes as certain known finds were cited and explained properties of the sites. The author of the scientific article itself had the " famous sandy desert " Senne with the discoverer, the Lippe economists Hentzen, roams and vividly describes the finds and their own preparation. The objects were first discovered in Germany and indeed in the Senne of the said laymen and published by him as flash tubes in 1805.